His Knees, His Pleas, But Our Son's in Peace

Chapter

29

The sound of police sirens cut through the air. I could hear them getting closer, their lights flashing in the distance. I didn't move from my spot by the window as the

police arrived, guns drawn. They approached Nathan cautiously, assessing

the scene. The rogues, battered and

bruised, were being handcuffed and

dragged away one by one.

Nathan reached the front steps and

knocked, his hand still trembling from the

fight.

I hesitated for a moment before opening the door. Nathan stood there, bloodied, bruised, and holding the bouquet like it was some sort of peace offering. His eyes flickered to the toys scattered across the floor inside the house. They belonged to

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His Knees, His Pleas, But Our Son's in Peace

37

Oliver. The sight of them seemed to stir something in Nathan, a brief flash of guilt crossing his face.

"-" He started, then stopped. He cleared his throat, trying again. "Doris, I'm sorry. I've been a fool. I know I messed up, and I want to make things right."

I didn't say anything, just stood there, staring at him blankly. My silence seemed to make him more desperate.

"I brought these for you," he said, lifting the roses. "I know how much you love

them."

I raised an eyebrow, the coldness in my voice unmistakable. "I'm allergic to roses.

Nathan blinked, taken aback. "What?"

"Sienna told you I loved roses, didn't she?"

I asked, crossing my arms over my chest.

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His Knees, His Pleas, But Our Son's in Peace

37

29

Nathan stammered, his confusion

growing. "Yeah, she-she said you loved them. I thought-"

bitter

"Of course she did.

brought me flowers when I was pregnant. I'd

the roses had made

in hives, my skin itching so

stop scratching. Nathan hadn't believed me back then, accusing me

cosmetic that had

reaction. He had sided

always.

face fell as he

didn't

course you didn't." My voice was

believed whatever Sienna told you. You've never known me, Nathan.

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But Our Son's in

37

29

really,"

his knuckles white.

am. I

my voice hard

out of my house,

call the police again."

eyes widened, panic

"Doris, please"

"I said leave,"

I

there for a moment longer, as

change my mind.

didn't soften,

the bouquet of roses

hand. I watched

back down the steps, his

as he was

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Pleas, By Ow SONS

99

against it, the

house was a mess, toys

broken, the remnants

in the

a long time,

Just indifference.

sight of him disgusted me more than anything. He was clutching that stupid bouquet of roses like it was supposed

everything that had

of all things. He still didn't

never had.

I

chest

must've told him I liked